In the depths of the Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia, a flag of a traditional Chinese medicine medical team from China forms a wonderful picture with the nearby generator set in the temporary diagnosis and treatment area of the Dadai Hydropower Camp.

From relying on imported electricity to an 80% decrease in electricity prices, from the rampant floods during the rainy season to the development of tourism, the ten-year history of the Dae Dai hydropower station in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, is far more touching than cold data.

By the end of 2025, this hydropower station invested, constructed, and operated by China National Heavy Machinery Corporation in BOT mode has been operating safely for over 10 years. Official data shows that the cumulative power generation of the power station has exceeded 10.5 billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to reducing carbon emissions in Cambodia by over 5.6 million tons.

From energy cornerstone to watershed hub

Ten years ago in Cambodia, especially outside the capital Phnom Penh, power shortages were the norm, severely constraining residents' lives and economic development. The completion of the Dadai Hydropower Station fundamentally changed this situation. As one of the largest hydropower projects invested by China in Cambodia, the total installed capacity of the Dadai Hydropower Station is 246 megawatts, and its annual power generation has remained stable at over 1 billion kilowatt hours, accounting for one tenth of Cambodia's total power generation.

Stable and affordable clean electricity has become a catalyst for Cambodia's development. Local police officer Saitong recalled that after the power generation of the Dadai hydropower station, the local electricity price decreased by about 80%. The night market is illuminated, restaurants and supermarkets are opening one after another, and the quiet area becomes full of vitality. The power station also specially installed a power line to supply power to the neighboring city of Gogong, directly promoting the prosperity of the border trade area.

The impact of the Dadai hydropower station is not limited to power supply. Through scientific storage capacity scheduling, the project team has transformed the previously stagnant Dadai River into a water source that benefits the local community. Villager Ai Mu said that in the past, floods could rise as high as rooftops, but now not only are there no more flood hazards, but Chinese companies have also set up water gauges and monitors to monitor water levels 24 hours a day, allowing villagers to feel at ease.

By constructing a water diversion irrigation system, orchards in surrounding villages can also receive irrigation during the dry season, providing reliable support for local agricultural development.

From technical output to integration into symbiosis

High quality infrastructure is the foundation for Chinese enterprises to go global. The success of Dadai Hydropower Station cannot be separated from its excellent technology and lean management. During the construction period, the project team laid over 80 kilometers of access roads in the pristine forest. After the power station was put into operation, advanced hydrological prediction models and unit regulation technologies were established, which not only ensured the stable operation of the units at full load, but also efficiently participated in power grid peak and frequency regulation, becoming a key support for the safety of Cambodia's power grid.

It is precisely because of these outstanding performances that the power station has won the "Power Generation Excellence Award" from the Cambodian National Electricity Company for several consecutive years.

However, truly going out means going in and staying. China National Heavy Machinery Industry Corporation is well versed in this field and has explored a deep integration path from technology output to talent co education and community co construction. The project has created over 3000 job opportunities for the local area and systematically trained local power technology talents in Cambodia. There are numerous cases of Cambodian employee Liao Guixin growing up in a translation position, participating in project development and negotiation, and realizing personal value.

The power station has also built 58 kilometers of dedicated roads for the local area, improving regional transportation. These measures have won sincere gratitude from the local people for Chinese enterprises, and the Gogong Provincial Government has even awarded the "Social Contribution Award" to the project.

From lighting up lights to warming people's hearts

The value of a successful overseas project ultimately lies in its emotional connection with the local people. The warmest part of the ten-year report of the Dadai Hydropower Station is the connection between people's hearts.

In 2025, the power station camp welcomed a special group of guests - the fourth batch of Chinese medical teams to aid Cambodia. Experts from many hospitals in Sichuan Province have set up temporary diagnosis areas in the camp, covering multiple specialties such as critical care, respiration, cardiovascular, orthopedics, acupuncture and moxibustion, etc. They provided free diagnosis and treatment services for the Chinese and Cambodian employees of the power station and the surrounding residents through careful consultation, acupuncture and moxibustion, ear point burying beans and other Chinese medicine therapies.

This kind of door-to-door delivery of health goes beyond simple corporate social responsibility and becomes a direct link to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples. The free clinic activity has been highly praised by the Governor of Cambodia, who believes it is a model of medical, health, and cultural exchange and cooperation between the two countries.

In fact, this kind of heart to heart communication has already taken root in daily life. Cambodian employee Lin Mugui recalled that when his wife was about to give birth, the company sent a car to the hospital and provided dormitories and care after delivery, making him feel that "leaders and colleagues are relatives without blood ties". It is these heartwarming details that build the emotional foundation beyond commercial cooperation.

From a single project to a green future

The success of the Dadai Hydropower Station is not the end point, but the starting point of a larger cooperation. Based on mutual trust and win-win cooperation, China and Cambodia are deepening their cooperation in the field of clean energy. At present, about 20 kilometers upstream of the Dadai Hydropower Station, the Shangadai Hydropower Station with an installed capacity of 150 megawatts is under construction and is expected to be put into operation in 2026. At that time, the two power stations will form a cascade linkage, significantly improving the water resource utilization and flood control capacity of the entire basin, and it is expected to increase the dry season power generation by 65%.

More strategically significant, the two sides have signed an agreement to collaborate on the construction of Cambodia's first pumped storage power station - the Shangdadai Pumped Storage Power Station. The installed capacity of the power station reaches 1000 megawatts and has been included in the list of key projects for China Cambodia capacity and investment cooperation. It will greatly enhance the absorption capacity of Cambodia's power grid for intermittent renewable energy such as solar energy, providing key support for the country to achieve its goal of 70% clean energy by 2030.

From the first light on the Dadai River, to the smile of traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture and moxibustion after relieving pain, to the more intelligent and green energy base in the planning, China and Cambodia have jointly paved a road of cooperation with a hydropower station as the starting point. Keywords: the Belt and Road, the Belt and Road project news, the Belt and Road news

This route is built on the technical strength of reinforced concrete and expanded through the mutual cultivation of talented individuals. Ultimately, the warm foundation is laid by the silent humanistic care of Runwu and the green commitment towards the future.Editor/Cheng Liting